# bender

/ˈbɛndɝ/ (US) · /bˈɛndɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bender
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. heavy drinking session

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal · Slang

a period of several days when someone drinks a lot of alcohol or uses drugs.

For teachers: a period of sustained and excessive indulgence in alcohol or drugs, typically lasting several days.

- He went on a three-day bender after he lost his job.
- The protagonist's spiral into debt began with a week-long bender that alienated his closest friends and colleagues.

Usage: Commonly used with the verb 'go on'.

### 2. a tool for bending

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a tool or machine used to bend something, such as a metal pipe, into a specific shape.

For teachers: a mechanical device or manual tool designed to facilitate the bending of rigid materials, particularly tubing or conduit.

- The plumber used a pipe bender to fit the copper tube around the corner.
- The workshop was equipped with a heavy-duty hydraulic bender capable of shaping thick steel rods for the frame.

### 3. offensive slur

noun · CEFR C2 · British English · Slang · Vulgar

a very offensive and rude word for a gay man.

For teachers: a highly derogatory and offensive term for a male homosexual.

- The player was banned for using a bender as an insult during the game.
- The use of the term 'bender' in the broadcast triggered an immediate investigation into the commentator's conduct.

Teaching tip: This sense is extremely offensive in British English; learners should avoid using it and be aware of its derogatory nature.

## Examples

- He went on a bender last weekend.
- After the stressful project ended, Mark went on a three-day bender to celebrate.
- The journalist's erratic behavior during the tour was largely attributed to a severe bender that left him exhausted and unreliable for interviews.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.